Case Number 07189: Small Claims Court

DRAGON BALL Z: VEGETA SAGA 1: INTO THE WILD

The Charge

Goku: It looks like they only want me, and that's exactly who they'll
get.

The Case

Dragon Ball Z has had many incarnations over the years. At first, it
was a popular show that started its run in Japan during 1989. Seven years later
it hit United States syndication, but its violent images and cursing were
cleaned up to make it more acceptable for kids. There were also several cuts to
some subplots made to make the show move along faster. Then Pioneer released the
US television versions on DVD. Another company called Funimation stepped in and
picked up the later half of the series, and delivered an uncut version of those
shows to the US market. Now Funimation is currently backtracking and releasing
the first part of the show with its voice actors and all cuts removed. Dragon
Ball Z: Vegeta Saga 1 -- Into the Wild is the third installment of the first
run with Vegeta debuting at the climax of the series. This volume includes three
episodes numbered seven through nine.

The story picks up as Goku has died and gone to another dimension where he
will train with King Kai. This means the gang on Earth can't bring him back with
a Dragon Ball for one year. Goku's son, Gohan, has been kidnapped for training
by Piccolo. Seems the "green meanie" wants to train up every fighter
the Earth has to go against the two evil Saiyans hurtling towards them.
Meanwhile, poor Kirillin has to inform Goku's wife that her husband and child
will be gone for a year preparing to battle the incoming threats. Dragon Ball
Z: Vegeta Saga 1 -- Into the Wild takes us through the first parts of both
Goku and Gohan's training. Goku has to run thousands of miles in the tedious
plot concerning the arduous Snake Way trail. Gohan must face the wilderness
alone for the first time, and Piccolo discovers something unique about the
sources of Saiyan power.

These aren't the most action-packed episodes of Dragon Ball Z, but
Funimation has done a very solid job with the collection. The transfers look
surprisingly good considering the show originated in the late '80s. There is
some dirt and grain present, and the occasional white mark shows up, but overall
it looks good. The sound comes in four flavors: English five channel or stereo,
Spanish stereo, and the original Japanese in stereo. The most problematic one is
the English five channel, because it makes the score a little too heavy and it
drowns out the dialogue. I preferred the Japanese track because it was sparse,
and very well executed. But give Funimation props, because the voice actors in
the English dub are all quite good.

Extras include a featurette with the voice actors from America contemplating
who is superior -- Goku or Vegeta. It is mixed with fan footage, and is
surprisingly the exact same featurette included with the first collection. New
to this set is a trivia contest and a gallery of trailers. You'd think they
could produce a lot of features for this title, since Dragon Ball Z never
seems to wane in its popularity. So what's included in the "uncut"
department? Well, the majority of these episodes include very little violence,
so there's not too much added in the blood and bad words department. The most
significant sequence I could find came in episode number nine where we see Gohan
befriending a robot trapped in a cave. It was cut from the US versions, but the
entire sequence is intact here for fans to finally see. It's a nice little
story, and it does illuminate some changes that occur with Gohan.

If you're a collector or rabid fan this is an easy purchase decision.
Welcome to your dream come true! If you're a newbie, definitely begin with the
first volume of stories, since Dragon Ball Z: Vegeta Saga 1 -- Into the
Wild starts at a midpoint. This is a classic anime series that threatens to
overtake Robotech in popularity, and it's definitely worth checking out.
The animation is a little dated, but solid storytelling never gets old. So go
out and buy an action figure or a pack of trading cards, and get ready to spend
some quality time with Goku.